ROGUE WANDERER: Of visiting condors and mates flying

ROGUE WANDERER: Of visiting condors and mates flying

Published 7:00 am Thursday, June 25, 2026

Some of the trustworthy who learn this column have turn into acquainted with a committee of vultures who roost in my bushes every night time. They are silent Air B&B long-term renters.

Turkey vultures have a superhero sense of scent, as we all know. They can scent a rotting carcass a mile off. Perhaps due to this olfactory reward, my resident turkey vultures have gotten wind of the current California condor sweep into Oregon.

On May 16 of this 12 months, Condor B9, a feminine, was the primary hen of its breed to cross into Oregon territory since 1904. She flew inside eight miles of Medford. As an beginner birder, I discover that very thrilling. The vulture crew discover it unsettling. I can inform by their low whispering at night time and extreme molting.

What makes the information of the condor visitation much more fascinating is that these majestic creatures had been almost extinct. According to oregonwild.org, in 1987, solely 22 California condors remained worldwide. Now, due to heroic efforts and captive breeding packages, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says there are 607 birds with 392 of them flying free.

I’ve lengthy wished to see one hovering overhead, whereas I used to be carrying a rainsuit. They possess a 9- to 10-foot wingspan and stand almost as tall as a few my coworkers. The native vulture buddies would simply as quickly stay sole kings and queens of the carrion. While they’ve the schnozzles constructed to smell out a meal, condors have a poor sense of scent however eager eyesight. Condors comply with vultures and ravens to the perfect eateries. That has the locals frightened.

I’ve assured my 5- to 6-foot wingspan mates at Dover Acre that condors and vultures have traditionally gotten alongside simply positive. Both species are comparatively docile and are okay with sharing. Condors simply need to be first, that’s all. They can eat as much as 3-4 kilos of “meat” at a sitting and generally gained’t eat for a number of days after. Both birds are fastidious about their look and can spend hours preening their feathers. They could also be scavengers, however they’ve their delight.

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Pinnacles National Park (two hours south of San Jose) is a major viewing territory for California condors. It’s the one nationwide park that serves as a launch spot for captive-bred condors. However, we now know that we might, at any time, see one in every of these behemoths of the avian kingdom in our neck of the woods.

I observed that my vultures have posted a “No Vacancy” signal of their roost. It features a crude drawing of a stick hen indicating a 10-foot wingspan with a pink line by way of it.

Now, I sincerely hope that my expensive and longtime pal, Lynn Leissler, gained’t thoughts sharing a column with condors. They are each a uncommon breed, in any case.

After 17 years of friendship in the identical hood, she has packed it up and flown north to journey and domesticate new mates in Springfield. Hmph. She makes use of her grandson Virgil as an excuse. And I perceive that he’s excited to have his Nana dwelling nearer, so what sort of jerk would I be to complain. No ideas, please.

As with any tempered relationship, we’ve had our share of battle and misunderstanding, but it surely’s been the weathering of those occasions that has strengthened the bond and taught us. She has unintentionally lifted a mirror on my tendency towards impatience, for which I’ve later been pressured to apologize, woe is I. We’ve shared books and writing speak, inspired each other’s literary aspirations, aka kicked each other within the rear to maintain after it. We have loved previous films and wine. She has shared her life.

Now that the transfer is a actuality, I’m wondering why I didn’t go to her church to listen to the choir she so cherished being a part of. Seventeen years of unintentional apathy have flown, too.

We will go to each other. They will likely be particular conferences with a lot of speak that can put on this introvert to a frazzle however will really feel proper simply the identical.

Think deeply of your folks when you have them. Make them comfortable. You often is the one who is aware of how to try this. Fly the pleasant skies, Lynn. I’ll miss you.

Peggy Dover is a contract author/creator who plans to soar with eagle’s wings sometime. Reach her at [email protected].